Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid in a mouth-watering derby showdown as the two bitter rivals contest a spot in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
Los Blancos have held sway when El Derbi has taken place on the European stage, most notably when they claimed a 4-1 win after extra time in the 2014 final.
That was during Ancelotti’s first spell at the helm and ended a 12-year wait for ‘La Decima’ — Madrid’s 10th European title.
Their tally now stands at a remarkable 15, but Diego Simeone’s Atleti are above their neighbours in three-way battle for La Liga glory this season and will be relishing the challenge.
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Jude Bellingham‘s booking in the second leg of Madrid’s 6-3 aggregate triumph over Manchester City in the knockout playoffs rules him out of this one. Brahim Diaz could play as a like-for-like No. 10 replacement, although that ploy didn't ultimately work during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Real Betis, despite Brahim opening the scoring.
Federico Valverde returning from muscular soreness to complete a robust midfield three alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga feels more likely, assuming Lucas Vazquez keeps his place at right-back.
Ancelotti will have the relative luxury of probably being able to name a back four made up of two full-backs and two centre-backs, although Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Jesus Vallejo all remain unavailable.
Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy — Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga — Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Injured: Militao (ACL), Carvajal (ACL), Ceballos (tendon), Vallejo (hamstring)
Suspended: Bellingham (yellow-card accumulation)
Cesar Azpilicueta is out with a leg problem, meaning injuries to experienced defenders are something that cross the Madrid divide.
Julian Alvarez came off the bench to score the winner against Athletic Club at the weekend and is likely to replace Alexander Sorloth alongside Antoine Griezmann up front.
Simone has a tough decision to make on the right of midfield, where Marcos Llorente‘s experience might get the nod ahead of his son Giuliano Simeone.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup (4-4-2, right to left): Oblak (GK) — Molina, Le Normand, Gimenez, Galan — Llorente, De Paul, Barrios, Lino — Griezmann, Alvarez
Injured: Koke (thigh), Azpilicueta (leg)
Suspended: None
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this UEFA Champions League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | Univision, UniMas | Paramount+, ViX, Univision NOW, TUDN.com, TUDN App, Fubo |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| UK | TNT Sports 1 | discovery+ |
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
